Instrument and speaker lift stand

ABSTRACT

A musical instrument stand has an expandable telescoping stand with an adjustable travel stop included interior to an extension tube diameter. The telescopic extension of the musical instrument stand is adjustable by repositioning the travel stop longitudinally within the tube.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No.14/497,923, filed Sep. 26, 2014 which claims priority to ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/882,958 filed on Sep. 26, 2013 the entirecontents of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improvements in an instrument and speaker liftstand for a musical instruments and sound speakers with an adjustablestop within the stand to limit travel. More particularly, the presentmusical instrument stand is a collapsible musical instrument stand thatrigidly supports a sousaphone and other brass type instruments in an ina stored and in a playable position. The lift stand also functions toelevate a speaker with the collapsible stand. The stand supports all orthe majority of the weight of the instrument or speaker in a staticposition to relieve the performer or technician of the weight of themusical instrument or speaker.

Several products and patents have been. Exemplary examples of patentscovering these products are disclosed herein. Musical instrument standsare desirable for supporting various articles and instruments since theyprovide selective height adjustment and a stable support. They areparticularly useful is supporting such things as cameras, videoequipment, telescopes, surveying instruments, and musical instruments.Musical instrument stands for brass instruments, however, raise specialproblems when used on steps or stairs of an auditorium or stadium.

There are several patents that describe various adjustable musicalinstrument stand devices. Bruneau U.S. Pat. No. 1,517,825 shows a tripodsupport for a table having adjustable legs.

This invention is an improvement over the inventor's, May, U.S. Pat. No.5,072,910. The US patent office has issued several musical instrumentstands to May that disclose and provide support for musical instrumentsnamely U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,438,266, 7,588,228, 7,703,725 and 7,718,878. Itis distinguished over the prior art in general, and these patents inparticular by an adjustable musical instrument stand with independentlyadjustable legs which comprises a longitudinal extensible uprightportion of telescoping tubular members, a plurality of collar membersslidably mounted on the upright portion which are longitudinallyadjustable relative to one another and to the upright portion forselective positioning thereon, and a plurality of movable leg membersare operatively connected to upper and lower collar members forselective independent longitudinal positioning and radial extensionrelative to the upright portion and to one another. One leg of themusical instrument is adjustable in length, a sufficient amount, topermit support on two different stairs or steps of an auditorium orstadium.

Boehm, U.S. Pat. No. 3,570,130 discloses a holding device for surveyinginstruments which includes a channel-like mounting bracket with a pairof instrument gripping clamps and a pair of adjustable legs thereonwhich cooperate with the instrument to form a musical instrument typesupport for supporting the instrument in a reference position.

When the upper leg supporting collar and the corresponding lower collarare moved toward each other on the upright portion, the bottom of theleg connected thereto will be extended radially outward to be positionedan unequal distance from the center of the upright portion relative tothe other legs, and the upper leg supporting collar and thecorresponding lower collar are moved away from each other, the bottom ofthe leg connected thereto will be drawn radially inward to be positionedan unequal distance from the center of the upright portion relative tothe other legs. The one adjustable leg of the musical instrument allowsthe stand to be erected on multi-level surfaces.

There are a number of patents that have been issued that work to plugthe end of a pipe. The majority of these plugs use a metallic cone or anelastomeric washer that is squeezed to expand and fill and seal the plugwithin the inside diameter of the pipe. While these devices grip theinside of the pipe, they are simply a plug and the position along theinterior length of the pipe is not adjustable.

Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with theaccompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide anadjustable musical instrument stand that has independently adjustablemovable legs.

It is another object of this invention to provide an adjustable musicalinstrument stand that allows for multiple angularities and musicalinstrument configurations.

Another object of this invention is to provide an adjustable musicalinstrument stand that has two or more independently adjustable movablelegs providing versatility and stability in the support system.

Another object of this invention is to provide an adjustable musicalinstrument stand that allows for the body of the stand to be oriented inan off-axis position while maintaining the center of gravity in a stablesupport system.

Another object of the invention is to allow collars that support thelegs, to be slidably adjusted past each other to allow for a greatervariety of adjustment.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable support legpositioned on the musical instrument stand and under a musicalinstrument to provide additional support to the musical instrument whileit is being played.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spring or gas chargedstrut within the musical instrument stand that assists in the extensionof telescoping members.

Another object of the invention is to provide additional extension legsthat can be used in combination with the legs of the musical instrumentstand to give greater extension capability for placement of the musicalinstrument stand on uneven surfaces.

Another object of the invention is for the geometry of the center tubeand the legs to be essentially the same to allow for part commonalityand interchangeability.

Another object of the invention is to allow the position of the legbrace to be adjustable to allow the angular arc or position of the legto be adjusted beyond a single fixed fulcrum brace point.

It is another object of this invention is to provide an adjustablemusical instrument stand for supporting articles which is simple inconstruction, light-weight, economical to manufacture, rugged andreliable in use.

It is another object of the present musical instrument stand to providean expandable musical instrument stand made from extruded sections wherethe extruded sections include a dovetail feature that allows theextruded tubular sections to be locked together.

It is another object of this musical instrument stand to utilizedovetail locking feature s to engage tubular sections and allow thestand to become longer. The leg section creates both the leg support andthe locking mechanism for the additional tubular extension.

It is another object of this musical instrument stand to allow theoverall height of the instrument stand significantly reduced make thestand easier to transport and store, the long center tube support can besplit into two or more pieces and assembled using an existing leg clampto secure the two center tube sections rigidly together.

It is another object of this musical instrument stand is to provide anadjustable tripod stand that has two or more independently adjustablemovable legs providing versatility and stability in the support system.

It is another object of this musical instrument stand is to provide anadjustable tripod stand that allows for the body of the stand to beoriented in a greater off-axis position while maintaining the center ofgravity in a stable support system.

It is another object of the musical instrument stand is to allow collarsthat support the legs, to be slidably adjusted past each other to allowfor a greater variety of adjustment.

It is an object of the expandable stand with an adjustable travel stopfor the travel stop to be inserted and removed from the inner diameterof a tube. The ability to insert and remove the travel stop allows theextension or the travel of the lift to be adjustable by moving thetravel stop within the tube. A hex key is inserted into the travel stopto lock the position, to adjust the position or to remove the travelstop. The travel stop can be used to stop the travel length and or toestablish the starting point for expansion.

It is still another object of the musical instrument stand to utilize anassisted lifting mechanism, such as a spring or gas strut, to makeadjusting the height of the playing surface of the musical instrumenteasier. The assisted lifting mechanism allows for an infinite number ofheights that the instrument can be adjusted and the adjustment can bemade quickly by a performer. Various lifting mechanisms can be usedbased upon the required force and the amount of extension that isrequired.

Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with theaccompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 shows a back isometric view of the sousaphone stand on a stadiumstand supporting a sousaphone.

FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of a tuba mounted in the stadiumstand.

FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of the sousaphone stand on astadium stand supporting a sousaphone.

FIG. 4 shows a side perspective view of the sousaphone stand.

FIG. 5 shows a tubular clamp in an open configuration.

FIG. 6 shows the tubular clamp from FIG. 4 receiving a tube.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the tubular clamp from FIGS. 4 and 5grasping a tube.

FIG. 8 shows a top perspective view of the sousaphone stand.

FIG. 9 shows the collapsed pieces of the sousaphone stand ready fortransportation.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the extension mechanism.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the clamping mechanism for the extensionlift mechanism.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the travel stop components.

FIG. 13 shows a cross sectional view of the travel stop cut just abovethe split ring.

FIG. 14 shows an end view of the travel stop showing the tool insertsocket.

FIG. 15 shows a cross sectional view cut lengthwise through the travelstop.

FIG. 16 shows a cross sectional view cut lengthwise through the travelstop showing the expansion of the split ring.

FIG. 17 is an isometric view of the extendable tripod stand with avertically mounted bass drum.

FIG. 18 shows a top perspective view of a compound lift mechanism.

FIG. 19 shows a detailed view of a compound lift mechanism.

FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of the compound lift in a retractedcondition with a top mounted speaker.

FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of the compound lift in an extendedcondition with a top mounted speaker.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a back isometric view of the sousaphone stand on a stadiumstand supporting a sousaphone. FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view ofa tuba mounted in the stadium stand. FIG. 3 shows a front perspectiveview of the sousaphone stand on a stadium stand supporting a sousaphoneand FIG. 4 shows a side perspective view of the sousaphone stand. FromFIG. 1, a sousaphone 10 is shown resting upon the stand. The stand hastwo sets of legs, 30, 31 and 40, 41 that are configured to slide on acentral tube 20. The two sets of legs are independently connected to thecentral tube 20 to allow the legs to be placed on different elevationswhereby allowing the first set of legs 30, 31 to be placed on the groundand the second set of legs to be placed on a bench seat 11 or similarraised platform that might be found in a stadium. While in some of thefigures the legs are shown at different elevations they may also beplaced on the same elevation or slightly offset in elevation to pronethe stand in an off axis orientation.

The sousaphone is placed on the stand where the upper curved tube of thesousaphone 10 rests in the cradle of the arc sector or “V” receivers 60and 61 that are covered with padding 62 to cushion the sousaphone 10.The padding can be a variety of different materials including but notlimited to felt, cloth, rubbers, plastics or elastomeric. The arc paddedsectors 60 and 61 are connected to a head 21 with arms 63 and 64. Whilearc sector or “V” receivers are shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the head may bereplaced with an elbow 73 that is connected to a single clamp as shownand described in FIGS. 4 to 5. The cantilevered weight of the sousaphone10 naturally rotates the sousaphone 10 in the arc sector or “V”receivers 60 and 61 such that the lower portion of the sousaphone 10rests on pads 50 and 51.

The pads 50 and 51 are pivotable on pivot pads 52 and 53 and can slide54 on a second set of legs 40 and 41 to allow the pads 50 and 51 to beplaced at a location that provides protection of the instrument. Thepivoting and sliding of the pads 52 and 53 allows for playercustomization to accommodate placement of the pads 52 and 53.

The first set of legs 30 and 31 are slidably connected to the centraltube 20 with two independent dovetail tubular first upper collar slider32 and first lower collar slider 33. The first upper collar slider 32 ispivotably 35 connected to one end of each leg 30 and 31, while the firstlower collar slider 33 is pivotably 35 connected to leg brace(s) 56 thatare then slidably 38 and pivotably 35 connected to an opposing end ofeach leg 30 and 31. A tension screw 36 on each first upper and lowercollar slider 32 and 33 secures each slider on the central tube 20. Thelower end of each leg 30 and 31 has a foot pad 37 to protect the surfacewhere the stand is placed upon.

The second set of legs 40 and 41 are slidably connected to the centraltube 20 with two independent dovetail tubular second upper collar slider42 and second lower collar slider 43. The second upper collar slider 42is pivotably 45 connected to one end of each leg 40 and 41, while thesecond lower collar slider 43 is pivotably 45 connected to leg brace(s)44 that are then slidably 48 and pivotably 45 connected to an opposingend of each leg 40 and 41. A tension screw 46 on each first upper andlower collar slider 42 and 43 secure s each slider on the central tube20. The lower end of each leg 40 and 41 has a foot pad 47 to protect thesurface where the stand is placed upon.

The collar sliders 32, 33, 38, 42, 43, and 48 are configured withreverse facing dovetail edges having a wrap angle of less than 180degrees of wrap on the central tube and the legs 30, 31, 40 and 41 thatallows the collar sliders to slide past each other on the central tube20 and or the legs 30, 31, 40 and 41. In addition, because both theupper and lower collar sliders are independent, the angle of the leg 32,33, 42 and 43 and or leg more brace(s) 56 and 44 are adjustable to alterthe distance between the foot pads 37, 47 and the central tube 20.

The central tube 20 has an internal extension tube 70 that can beadjusted in extension to raise or lower the height of the arc sector or“V” receiver 60, 61 pads 62. The extension tube 70 can further beremoved, as shown in FIG. 9, for storage or transportation. Theextension tube is securable in position on the central tube 20 with atube clamp 69 that operates with a cam 72 on a lever to allow for quickclamping and releasing of the extension tube 70.

In FIG. 2, the bottom of the tuba 14 is placed onto the arc sector or“V” receivers 60 and the tube of the tuba 14 is secured in clamp 80.FIGS. 5 to 7 show and describe the clamp in greater detail.

FIG. 5 shows a tubular clamp in an open configuration, FIG. 6 shows thetubular clamp 80 from FIG. 4 receiving a tube and FIG. 7 shows aperspective view of the tubular clamp 80 from FIGS. 4 and 5 grasping atube. This clamp 80 can be placed on the extension tube 70 to grasp thetube 12 of a musical instrument. The riser tube 75 is held with elbow 73in position on the instrument stand. The position of the tubular clampon the stand is adjustable and secured with screw clamp 92.

The tubular clamp 80 has a first arc sector or “V” receiver 81 and asecond arc sector or “V” receiver 82 that grasps at least partiallyaround the tube 12 of a musical instrument. The first arc sector or “V”receiver 81 pivots on a pivot axis 83 while the second arc sector or “V”receiver 82 pivots on a pivot axis 84 that extends through the body 91of the tubular clamp 80. The inside edge s 93 limits the amount that thearc sector or “V” receivers will open. Each arc sector or “V” receiver81 and 82 is padded or cushioned 86 to both frictionally grip theinstrument tube 12 and to prevent damage to the instrument tube 12. Whenthe instrument tube is pushed into the tubular clap 80 the arc sector or“V” receivers 81 and 82 will pivot until holes 89 engage into pins 88that will hold the arc sector or “V” receivers 81 and 82 in a closedorientation as shown in FIG. 7. When release 85 is pulled back 87 thepins 88 will be pulled out of retentions holes 89 whereby releasing thearc sector or “V” receivers 81 and 82 and spring 94 will pull 90 the arcsector or “V” receivers 81 and 82 open to release the tube 12.

FIG. 8 shows a top perspective view of the sousaphone stand that isshown in FIGS. 1-4. This orientation of the stand represents theorientation where a performer will place the sousaphone into the stand.Because of the weight and cost of a sousaphone performers must oftensupport the weight of the instrument by placing the instrument on theirlegs as they rest on the stadium. Using this instrument stand, aperformer can place the instrument stand in a stadium and adjust theheight of legs 30, 31 and 40, 41 to accommodate the geometry of thestadium seat or bleacher. The performer will loosen the cam clamp 72 toraise or lower the extension tube 70 from the central tube 20 and thentighten the tube clamp. The performer will then rest the upper tube ofthe sousaphone in the pads 62 of the arc sector or “V” receivers 60 and61 that exist on the ends of arms 63, 64 from head 21. The sousaphonewill then naturally rotate onto pads 50 and 51 that can also beadjustable on legs 30 and 31 to cushion the sousaphone. It iscontemplated that to assist in positioning the extension tube 70 that aspring, gas filled strut or other similar lifting mechanism are can beincorporated into the central tube 20 to assist a performer to extendthe extension tube 70 out of the center tube 20 as shown and describedin FIG. 10.

FIG. 9 shows the collapsed pieces of the sousaphone stand ready fortransportation. In this figure the central tube 20 including the camclamp 72, extension tube 70, head 21 and the padded arc sector or “V”receiver musical instrument supports are separated from the legassemblies. The leg assemblies will include the first leg set 30, 31,sliders and foot pads 37. The leg assemblies also include the second legset that are partially visible behind the first leg set 30, 31. The pads50 and 51 are shown rotated against the pivoting sliders to minimizestorage size. The slide collar 42 is shown removed from the central tube20. While FIG. 9 shows the sousaphone stand, the tuba stand isdisassembled in a similar manner.

Referring now to FIG. 10 that shows an exploded view of the extensionmechanism 39. The extension/lift mechanism can be a variety of differentmechanism. In FIG. 6 it is shown as a compression spring. In this figurethe lift/extension mechanism is shown and described as a strut. Thestrut shown is a gas filled extension mechanism that naturally exists inan extended orientation. Pushing upon the two ends will compress thestrut. Various different forces and extension lengths are available.When using the strut in the embodiments shown, the strut must be stoppedmed stroke at the length desired by the user. One contemplatedembodiment of the clamping mechanism is shown and described in FIG. 12.

The strut 39 has end caps 57 and 55 that are installed with the tubes 34and 26. A set screw or stops 51 and 58 retain the end caps 57 and 55within the tubes 34 and 26. In one embodiment the end caps sit on thescrews 51 and 58. In another embodiment the screws 51 and 58 bind theend caps 57 and 55 to prevent the inner tube 34 from being accidentallyremoved from the outer tube 26. A guide 59 exists in the middle of thestrut 39 to reduce axial loading on the strut that could harm the sealsof the strut 39. The extension mechanism can be either inserted into theinner tube 34 or in the outer tube 26. A securing means for securing amusical instrument is attached to the end of the upper tube 34. Theinstrument securing means allows a performer to install a musicalinstrument such as a drum or other musical instrument onto the stand.Various types of percussion musical instruments are shown in thefigures. In this figure the securing means is a saddle where a musicalinstrument is placed vertically into the securing means.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the clamping mechanism 69. Referringbriefly to FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 8 and 9 the clamping mechanism 69 is shownwhere the lower tube 26 and the upper tube 34 intersect. The clampingmechanism is an extrusion 260 with a central hole 262 where the lowerportion of the clamping mechanism 69 is secured to the lower or outerdiameter tube 26. The clamping mechanism is partially split into a lowerportion that is secured to the lower tube 26 (not shown) and an uppersection that can temporally hold the upper tube 34 (not shown) the split263 separates these two section and allows separate flexibility forclamping the upper and lower parts of the clamping mechanism 269. Ascrew 264 closes the lower portion of the clamping mechanism 69 on thelower tube. A separate screw 265 passes through the upper portion of theclamping mechanism 69 where it is threaded into as shoulder bolt 267with a threaded hole that the screw 265 threads into. A nut 268 retainsthe shoulder bolt 267 on a cam arm. The cam arm 266 has an eccentrichole that allows the upper portion of the clamping apparatus/gripingmeans to close the gap 261 onto an upper tube to prevent extension ofthe upper tube 34 (not shown).

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the travel stop components. Thetravel stop is configured to fit within the center of a tube 34, butcould also be placed within tube 20 or 70 as shown in FIGS. 1-4, 8, 9 ortube 34 shown in FIG. 10, or tubes 26, 70, or 76 in FIGS. 17-21. Thetravel stop shown in FIGS. 12-14 show a shoulder 153 that preventsinsertion completely into the tube. In FIGS. 15 and 16 the shoulder isnot present and allows the travel stop to be inserted completely intothe tube. The shoulder 153 has a stopping ridge 152 with a step, butcould be rounded or otherwise shaped to prevent the travel stop fromsliding into the tube. The outer diameter of the shoulder 153 ispreferably the same diameter as the outer diameter of the tube to createa smooth transition from the tube 34 to the end cap shoulder 153.

An elongated shank exists both above 151 and below 150 a split ring 160.The elongated shank 150/151 provides both a guide and a bearing surfacefor the travel stop. The split ring 160 is preferably located along thecenter of the elongated shank 150/151. The location of the split ring160 must be placed sufficiently from the shoulder 152 to reduce thepossibility of splitting the travel stop with the split ring 160 isexpanded to grip the inside diameter of the tube 34. A split 161 in thesplit ring 160 allows the outside diameter to expand to grip the insidediameter 34 of the tube. Various materials are contemplated for thetravel stop. In the preferred embodiment the travel stop is made from astrong but fairly light weight material such as aluminum, but othermaterial are contemplated such as plastic. It is also contemplated thatthe travel stop can be manufactured from a heavier material to providesome initial weight. Some heavier materials that are contemplatedinclude but are not limited to copper alloys, stainless steel and othernon-toxic and or non-rusting materials. Still other materials that arecontemplated are hard rubbers that will still maintain some mechanicalstructure but also will provide some flexibility if impacted.

The bottom of the travel stop is generally flat 154 with a clearancehole that allows the threaded set screw 155 to be inserted from eitherend. FIG. 13 shows a cross sectional view of the travel stop cut justabove the split ring 160 cut through section 13-13 in FIG. 15. The splitring 160 exists within a recess 162 as shown in the sectional view inFIG. 12. The split 161 in the ring is obvious in this figure. The splitis shown in an exaggerated opening to make it more visible. In thepreferred embodiment the split 161 is perpendicular with the ring 160,but it is also contemplated that the split 161 can exist at an angle toreduce the possibility that the split will occupy the area over theexpansion pins 165. The expansion pins 165 exist in holes 166. The holes166 are sized to provide clearance for the pins 165 to freely slide. Theholes 166 pass from the center of the cylinder 151 to the outside of thecylinder 151. A screw 155 with a tapered head pushes the pins 165outward when the screw is turned into the travel stop. The shoulder 152of the end plug is visible outside of the cylinder 151 and split ring160.

FIG. 14 shows an end view of the adjustable travel stop showing the toolinsert socket. This view is the socket 156 for insertion of a hex key isvisible. A hex key is inserted into the socket 156 to move the screw 155into and out of the end cap. Movement of the screw 155 pushes the pins165 as shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 15 shows a cross sectional view cut lengthwise through theadjustable travel stop. In this figure the screw 155 is backed away fromthe pins 165. The screw 155 is backed away from the pins to allow theend cap to be inserted into the end of the tube 34. To move the screw155, a hex key is inserted into the socket 156, the end 154 of the endcap is held, and the hex key is turned to screw or unscrew the screw155. The end cap is inserted until the end of the tube 34 and intoposition. An installer can partially expand the split ring 160 to createa frictional or interference fit of the travel stop within the tube 34.This frictional fit allows an installer to push/slide the travel stopinto position within the tube 34 before locking the travel stop inposition at an intermediate position between the two ends of the tube34.

When the screw 155 is turned into the end cap the tapered end 158 of thescrew 155 pushes into the pins 165 to push the pins, through theclearance holes 166, against the split ring 160 to make the split ringgrip the inside diameter 134 of the tube 34. The taper 158 of the screw155 pushing against the pins and then the split ring is shown in moredetail with FIG. 16.

FIG. 16 shows a cross sectional view cut lengthwise through the travelstop showing the expansion of the split ring 160. The travel stop isshown deep within the tube 34 and requires an elongated Hex key tosecure and remove the travel stop within the tube 34. The Hex key and orthe set screw can be magnetized to make removal of the travel stopinsertion easier. This figure has a hex key 157 shown where it canengage into the hex socket 156 of the set screw 155. As the screw 155 isturned clockwise 173 the screw moves into 174 the end cap and thetapered 158 end or nose of the screw 155 pushes pins 165 out 175 throughthe clearance holes 165 where the pins push the split ring 160 out 176.

In FIG. 17 the extendable stand is mounted with a vertically mounted ona bass drum. In each of the configurations the drum can be quicklyremoved from a performer's body mounted carrier and installed onto theadjustable stand. In all of these configurations the base or legs 23extend from the lower central tube 26. The extension mechanism existsinside one of the tubes where it is secured or located with screws 58and or 51. In all of these figures the upper tube 34 is shown partiallypushed out of the lower tube 26. The amount of extension of the uppertube 34 out of the lower tube 26 is determined by the performerpreference and an infinite number of different heights are adjustable.The force and extension length of the extension mechanism is variablebased upon the type and weight of instrument that is being supported. Inthe preferred embodiment the force of the extension mechanism isselected to allow for minimal force by the user to raise or lower themusical instrument 79 and the weight of the musical instrument issufficient to approximately equal the force from the extensionmechanism.

The strut can be fixed to the stand, or can be changeable. The clampingapparatus/griping means 69 grips the upper tube to prevent undesirablemovement of the upper tube while a performer is performing. The locationof the tube 70 is quickly adjustable with the eccentric cam arm 66. Inthis figure, a series of drum supports 71 hold the vertically mounteddrum 81.

The inventor of this disclosure has also been awarded U.S. Pat. Nos.7,438,266, 7,588,228, 7,703,725 and 7,718,878 that disclose tripod typestands. It is distinguished over the prior art in general, and thesepatents in particular by an adjustable musical instrument stand withindependently adjustable legs 23 which comprise s a longitudinalextensible upright portion of tele scoping tubular members, a pluralityof collar members 69 slidably mounted on the upright portion of 26 whichare longitudinally adjustable relative to one another and to the uprightportion of 26 for selective positioning. The lift mechanism furthercreates additional improvement and user performance feature s that werenot obvious and are novel over the inventors prior patents.

FIG. 18 shows a top perspective view of a compound lift mechanism, FIG.19 shows a detailed view of a compound lift mechanism, FIG. 20 shows aperspective view of the compound lift in a retracted condition with atop mounted speaker, and FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of thecompound lift in an extended condition with a top mounted speaker. InFIGS. 18 and 19 a second or compound lift member 76 is mounted aside thelower central tube 26. The parallel structure of the lower central tubewith the compound lift member 76 provides additional stability when theparallel members are clamped. Releasing the lower clamping mechanism 69allows the internal extension/lift mechanism rod 98, as shown anddescribed in FIG. 10, pushes upon connecting elbow 73 to extend as theguides 54 slide along the outrigger lift tube 76. A secondextension/lift mechanism 70 is exists within the outrigger lift tube 76to provide a second lift to further extend the lift height of the standby releasing upper clamping mechanism 74.

In FIG. 20, a speaker 99 is mounted to the top of the stand and shown ina lowered condition. In FIG. 16 one of the legs 23 is shown slightlydisplaced to show an adjustment for placement of the stand on an unevensurface. FIG. 16 also shows the speaker more fully elevated with boththe first stage extension tube 98 and the second stage extension tube 70released and extended. Once the tubes are extended to the desiredextension, clamps 69 and 74 are secured.

The enabled features described in detail above are considered novel overthe prior art of record and are considered critical to the operation ofat least one aspect of the invention and to the achievement of theobjectives of the invention. The words used in this specification todescribe the exemplary embodiments are to be understood not only in thesense of their commonly defined meanings, but also to include anyspecial definition with regard to structure, material or acts that wouldbe understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to apply in thecontext of the entire disclosure.

The definitions of the words or drawing elements described herein aremeant to include not only the combination of elements which areliterally set forth, but all equivalent structures, materials or actsfor performing substantially the same function in substantially the sameway to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it istherefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or moreelements may be made for any one of the elements described and itsvarious embodiments or that a single element may be substituted for twoor more elements in a claim without departing from the scope of theinvention.

Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person withordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expresslycontemplated as being equivalents within the scope intended and itsvarious embodiments. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later knownto one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scopeof the defined elements. This disclosure is thus meant to be understoodto include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what isconceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and alsowhat incorporates the essential ideas.

The scope of this description is to be interpreted in conjunction withthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lift mechanism for a tube, the lift mechanismcomprising: an adjustable travel stop having opposing surfaces defininglateral ends of the travel stop, the travel stop configured to berepositioned along a length of said tube such that the opposing surfacesare interior to the tube; an extension mechanism configured to extendfrom said tube and pushing against said adjustable travel stop so as tothereby provide mechanical lift assistance, wherein an extension limitof said lift mechanism is set by a position of said adjustable travelstop within said tube.
 2. The lift mechanism for a tube according toclaim 1, further comprising a supporting base for said tube, whereinsaid supporting base comprises at least one leg that is independentlyadjustable to slide and secure on said tube.
 3. The lift mechanism for atube according to claim 1, wherein said adjustable travel stopcomprises: a retention mechanism having a split ring that is expandableto frictionally prevent motion of said adjustable travel stop withinsaid tube.
 4. The lift mechanism for a tube according to claim 1,wherein said split ring is configured to expand outwardly to pressagainst an inside diameter of said tube.
 5. The lift mechanism for atube according to claim 4, wherein said expansion is actuated inresponse to a screw or bolt pushing a plurality of pins or ballsoutwardly against an inside diameter of the split ring.
 6. The liftmechanism for a tube according to claim 1, further comprising asupporting base for said tube, wherein said supporting base includes atleast three legs secured on said tube.
 7. The lift mechanism for a tubeaccording to claim 1, the lift mechanism further comprising: at leasttwo arms that extend from a central head to engage a musical instrument.8. The lift mechanism for a tube according to claim 1, wherein saidextension mechanism comprises: a spring or a gas filled strut.
 9. Thelift mechanism for a tube according to claim 1, wherein said tubesupports a musical instrument or a speaker.